Key facts about Uzbekistan:

With a population of more than 30 million, the ex-Soviet republic became independent in 1991

The total land area is 425,400 km2, with plains covering about four fifths of the territory

The average winter temperature is -6 degrees celsius and in summer it rises above 32

Almost 80 percent of the population is Uzbek and the main religion is Muslim (88 percent)

Euronews’ Seamus Kearney reported: “The most popular dish here is known as plov, which is the original pilaf of Central Asia. No visit here would be the same without tasting this famous national cuisine.”

In Khodjikent, about 80 kilometres east of the capital, a celebrated plov chef uses the finest ingredients to make this favourite rice and meat dish.